Black Mountain - Wilderness Heart

Black Mountain continue their run of good form on their latest release by following two solid rocking albums with a solid and, yes, rocking third. This time around the songs are all of an average length rather than the sometimes muddling 10 minute songs of their self-titled debut and sophomore In the Future albums.

The artwork for Wilderness Heart is a pretty accurate pictorial interpretation of the band's music, it features a giant shark's head emerging from clouds in plain looking surroundings. The music contained within is also a shark head, biting and fearsome but set within a retro rock sound which is so familiar that it seems normal, as if things haven't changed in music over the years. 'The Hair Song' and 'Let Spirits Ride' are pace-driven and live longest in the memory. The rest of the songs are average and fine to bop along to but not quite outstanding enough to keep your blood fizzing. Twisted lullaby 'Sadie' is an excellent closer for the album where the vocals are almost grunge in their request to "surrender your throne". The shark keeps the bite, while the setting keeps the feet on the ground. True, they never quite break loose, but they also don't massively disappoint as a result.

Fans of the band's first two album will find much to salivate over, while newcomers will find easy access to tight bundles of rock without being scared away by lengthy track times or over-the-top classic rock rip-offs (looking at you Steel Panther and Airbourne). Black Mountain hold their own, and even if this album won't tear its way into the mainstream it builds nicely on the momentum they have already gained. If this album is a whisper of their intent, the next album might be a shout. Fingers crossed.